Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
HERBERT MORRISON Technical High School and William Knibb High School both emerged as first-time champions in the 2007 ISSA/KFC Western High Schools Basketball League at the weekend, when they dethroned Muschett High School of the Under-16 and Under-19 titles respectively, at the Montego Bay Cricket Club courts.
In the crucial Under-16 game three showdown, William Knibb, who won game one 74-68 but lost game two to the resurgent Muschett 71-68, turned in a dazzling performance to secure a good 57-44 win in the decider and their first title in schoolboy basketball.
In game two in the best-of-three Under-19 finals, Herbert Morrison, who won game one 74-67, made sure there would be no game three as their top player, Dwayne Johns, turned in another solid performance in leading them to a 76-64 win.
Under-16
In the Under-16 game, Muschett dominated the first quarter, leading 18-10 as Lamar Mitchell, who had a game-high 33 points, and Navado Williams, who got 14, looked solid in attack. However, with Odeaney Morris, who had 28 points, leading their charge, William Knibb took the second quarter 21-9 to establish a 31-27 half-time lead.
Muschett bounced back in the third quarter and trailed just 39-38 going into the final stanza. However, with Sage Hall, who got 16 points, and Carlton Duncan, 14, supporting Morris well, William Knibb dominated the final quarter 18-6 and won 71-68 and secure the title.
In the first quarter of the Under-19 final, Muschett started out solidly as Elton Reid, who had 20 points, tried to give them the early momentum. However, with Johns displaying dazzling form, the Herbert Morrison team still managed to lead 19-17 at the first break. They also prevailed in the second quarter to establish a 42-35 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Gerald Perkins, who got 23 points, and Jahniel Whyte, 22, also began to make their presence felt for Herbert Morrison, providing Johns with valuable support as they took the quarter 15-14 to move into the final quarter with a 49-43 edge.
In the final quarter, Muschett's last-ditch effort proved futile as Herbert Morrison stepped up the tempo on their way to victory.
